As others have mentioned, it can be extremely useful when sighting in a rifle and scope using the simple "two shot" method.

1. After bore sighting so that the first shot hits paper, fire a clean and accurate shot at the bullseye. The accuracy of all subsequent steps is dependent on the accuracy of this one shot. Therefore, eliminating human error is paramount.
2. With the rifle held completely still with the scope crosshairs on the bullseye, adjust the scope so the crosshairs match the point of impact on the target paper. This will align the scope with the actual impact point for the position in which the rifle was positioned when the shot was made. Having a lead sled to hold the rifle still during this step is a definite plus.
3. With the scope now adjusted to the impact point, the rifle must be repositioned correctly to bring the scope back on target.
4. Fire a second shot to confirm accuracy. Final adjustments to create a zero distance shot can be tweaked as needed.

Shows there's 55,298 members of this forum.

55,298 x .001 (is that right?) = 55.298

Hmmm, wonder if that's true or not.

In any case I don't see how one needs to be "Olympic shooter" to zero and/ or test loads. Daniel came out to the class yesterday. After some time behind the .300 Win Mag he got on his 6.5 x 55 to zero it. Shot one was left 2/10 and low 1/10, adjusted the scope. The next shot, his point of aim was a 30 cal bullet hole left from this morning. He stacked a 6.5mm right next to a .30 cal hole so close there was no paper between the two. Rock solid zero in two shots, prone, bipod, rear bag. I bet 55 people is far off from the true number of this forum.

X-2

The problem is most people have to use public ranges where you can't shoot prone.

Accuracy can be attained from a bench. Recoil will affect you more, no doubt about that. The fundamentals cross over prone or bench.